Cufflink with interchangeable decorative members



Nov. 10, "1970 M. SHEIN 3,538,556

CUFF LINK WITH INTERCHANGEABLE DECORATIVE MEMBERS Filed April 12, 1968 FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 F/G. 8. F769. F/G.J0.

20' 40 /a' 2 J6 Z a" F'IG.11. FIG. 13. A76. 14

. 28" FIG. .12.

INVENTOR.

MEL V/N I SHE/IV,

A 7 TOE/V5 YS.

United States Patent 3,538,556 CUFFLINK WITH INTERCHANGEABLE DECORATIVE MEMBERS Melvin Shein, 103 S. Hubbard Lane, Louisville, Ky. 40207 Filed Apr. 12, 1968, Ser. No. 720,963 Int. Cl. A44b 1/18 US. Cl. 24-90 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cuff link including a stem, a head on the front end of said stem, retaining means at the back of said stem and a decorative member removably seated on the stern back of the head. In a perferred embodiment, said stem is formed of a resilient plastic material bifurcated at the back end, the bifurcation constituting said retaining means and being preformed to spread retaining positions in which they extend in opposite directions substantially at right angles to the axis of said stem, the bifurcation walls being bendable toward each other to permit their joint insertion through an aperture of the decorative member and an aperture of a piece of clothing and thereafter upon release resiliently returning to their retaining positions.

This invention relates to a cuff link, a shirt stud, or a similar article of adornment capable of performing the dual functions of fastening a sleeve cuff, or other parts of a garment, and at the same time providing an ornamental, or decorative, appearance.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a cuff link, or the like, having a plurality of interchangeable decorative members which may be selectively utilized to change the appearance of the cuff link, said interchangeable decorative members differing in design characteristics, color, or other ornamental features.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cuff link including an ornamental head and a removable ringlike decorative member mounted on the stem of the cuff link behind the head to change the ornamental appearance of the cuff link.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cuff link, having the above described characteristics, in which the interchangeable decorative members are slidable on the stem of the cuff link to abut against the head at one end, and being assembled and removed over a retaining means at the other end.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cuff link, having the above described characteristics, wherein the stem of the cuff link is non-circular, and each of the decorative members is provided with a comple mentary non-circular aperture for slidably receiving the cuff link stem, and thereby prevent relative rotation of the stem and decorative members.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cuff link, having the above described characteristics, in which the stem is formed of a resilient plastic and bifurcated at its back end, the walls of the bifurcation being preformed to extend away from each other and perpendicular to the axis of the stem, said sidewalls being squeezable against one another for insertion through apertures in said decorative members and buttonholes in a sleeve cuff, and said walls being resiliently returnable to their extended positions for engaging the backside of the cuff to fasten the cuff link to the cuff.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cuff link, having the above described characteristics, which is simple in construction, and easy and economical to manufacture and use.

3,538,556 Patented Nov. 10, 1970 ice The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, itself, howeverd, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cuff link according to the invention fastened in the cuff of a sleeve;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the cuff link mounted as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cuff link of FIG. 1 when removed from the sleeve;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a modified embodiment of the cuff link;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the same cuff link as viewed at right angle to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cuff link stem taken along line 8-8 of FIG 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sections similar to FIG. 8, but illustrating cuff links having modified stems;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified decorative member usable with a cuff link having a stem whose cross-section is similar to that of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 11, and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan views of still other modified decorative members, respectively usable with cuff links having stems of triangular and square cross-sections.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, in FIGS. l-3 is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention as constituting a cuff link, generally designated by the numeral 10, mounted in the buttonholes 12 of a cuff 14 on sleeve 16. The cuff link 10 comprises a stem 18 having a head 20 at the front end secured thereto, or formed as an integral part thereof. The back end of the stem is bifurcated to provide a pair of walls 22 which are preformed to protrude outwardly in opposite directions and perpendicular to the axis of the stem. As best seen by the broken lines in FIG. 3, the walls 22 are intended to be bent toward each other in the direction of the arrows A and B so as to align with the stem and present the bifurcation slot 24 along the axis of the stem, permitting the thus joined walls to be inserted through the buttonholes of the cuff 14. To permit this bending function and the subsequent return of the walls 22 to their retaining, or clasping, position, as shown in FIG. 2, on the backside of the cuff, the cuff link is preferably formed of a spring metal, or a resilient plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyolefin, polycarbonate, or polyamide. These materials, because of their inherent resiliency will, upon release of bending, or squeezing pressure, will cause the walls 22 to return to their normal prestressed positions. The head 20 of the stem may be formed of the same material and integrally with the stem, or may be made of a different material and firmly secured thereto by adhesive, fusing, soldering, or any other suitable way. For the purpose of decoration the head may be embossed, engraved, or inscribed with a suitable design, or may even be constituted of a precious metal, or a precious, or semi-precious stone.

To enhance the decorativeness of the cuff link, a decorative member 26 in the form of a disk with a central opening 28 large enough to receive the stem 18 is provided for slidable seating on the stem when the walls 22 are pressed together. The decorative ring, or annulus, 26 may have suitable lettering, designs, or other ornamentation inscribed, or imprinted, on the outer face. Alternatively, the decorative member may be formed of a precious, or semiprecious metal or stone. Jewels may be set in the outer face 30 of the annulus 26. It will be obvious that many ways of dressing up the decorative member are possible, although not illustrated.

If desired, a whole series of decorative members in the form of annuli, bearing different precious stones, or different ornamentation, may obviously be supplied to the purchaser of the cuff link who may then select different ornamental members for assembly with the cuff link proper at the time of use, depending upon the occasion.

In use, the described cuff link is applied to the cuff of a shirt sleeve by first pressing the two walls 22 together, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, and inserting the back end of the stern through the aperture 28 in the selected decorative member 26. Next, the back end of the stem, again with the walls 22 pressed together, is inserted through the buttonholes in both portions of the cuff of a single sleeve and the walls are then released, permitting them to bend outwardly to their normal, clamping positions, as shown in FIG. 2, through their inherent resiliency. The end portions of the cuff will then be fastened together by reason of their engagement between the inner faces of the decorative member 26 and the walls 22, the decorative member engaging the back of the cuff link head 20. The cuff link head 20 and the decorative annulus 26 together form an over-all design of pleasing appearance, which, as explained above, may be changed at will by selecting another decorative member to replace the previous one. In such instance, and when it is desired to open the cuff and remove the cuff link, it is merely necessary to press the walls 22 together and push the stern upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, through the buttonholes in the cuff. While the walls 22 are held together, the decorative member 26 may be slidably removed from the back end of the stem and a different decorative member inserted onto the stern for use in re-fastening the cuff.

In FIGS. 46 is illustrated a second preferred embodiment of the cuff link which differs from the FIG. 3 embodiment only in that the stem 18' is formed of a more rigid and less resilient material although retaining some resiliency. In the slot 24' of the bifurcation, defined by walls 22', is disposed a rigid retaining member 32 having a pair of opposed socket recesses 34 of square shape with diagonal ribs 36 protruding slightly therefrom. Complementary projections 38 are carried on the inner surfaces of the walls 22 to fit within the recesses 34 and thereby pivotally support the fastening means, or bar 32. The straight bar 32 is of smaller cross-section than the crosssection of the stem 18 and may be pivotally moved from a position in alignment with the stem as shown in FIG. 4, to a position at right angle thereto, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 5. In both these positions the bar 32 is held by friction induced by the pressure of the walls 22' in being spread apart slightly to admit the bar and seat the projections 38 in the pivot recesses 34. Turning from one position to the other is also frictionally opposed by said pressure and by the necessity to overcome the frictional pressure of the ribs 36. However, this friction may be overcome by exercise of finger force so that the wearer may easily turn the bar 32 to either position, the projections 38 camming the walls 22' slightly apart during the turning movements.

It is intended that the cuff links of FIGS. 4-6 be used with a decorative member 26, such as that of FIG. 3, or a series of such decorative members. When the cuff link bar 32 is turned to align with the stem, the decorative piece may be easily slid onto the stern and the cuff link is also easily insertable through the buttonholes of a cuff. The bar 32 may then be turned to the FIG. broken line 4 position where it serves to retain the assembled cuff and cuff link by engagement with the backside of the cuff. To remove the cuff link from the cuff and to remove and change the decorative member, it is merely necessary to turn the bar 32 back to its axial position of FIG. 4 and push the cuff link out of the buttonholes.

FIG. 7 illustrates another modification of the cuff link in which only the head 20 is changed from the FIG. 4 embodiment. In this instance the head is merely a segment of a sphere, rather than an entire sphere, or ball, as shown in FIG. 4, the base 40 of the head being flat. This embodiment is also intended for use with a series of different decorative panels 26, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the cross-section of the cuff link shown in FIG. 4 may be circular, and if so, it is suitable for use with a decorative member 26 having a circular aperture 28, as in FIG. 3, the aperture being slightly larger than the cross-section of the stem. With the described structure, the decorative member is free to turn on the stem and consequently should be engraved with an ornamental design which does not change the over-all decorative appearance of the cuff link by such rotation.

Where the decorative member is embossed or inscribed with a design of its own which should not be turned with respect to the ornamental head 20, or 20', of FIGS. 3 and 7, respectively, the stem of the cuff link should be provided with a cross-section whose periphery contains at least one straight-line portion. Examples of these are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, FIG. 9 showing the stem 18 having a hexagonally shaped cross-section, and FIG. 10 showing a stem 18" having a triangular shaped cross-section. The apertures of the decorative members would, of course, then be provided with shapes complementary to the crosssections of the stems and slightly larger so as to permit sliding assembly and removal. Examples of such decorative members are shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. In the former, an elliptical decorative member 26 is provided with a hexagonal aperture 28', while in FIG. 13, a starshaped decorative member 26 is provided with a triangular-shaped central aperture 28".

FIG. 14 illustrates still another decorative member 26" of diamond shape having a central square aperture 28" for use with a cuff link provided with a stem having a square cross-section. In all of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9l4, relative rotation between the cuff link head and stem and the decorative member, seated on the stem back of the head, is thus prevented.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many modifications thereof are possible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. A cuff link, or the like, comprising a bifurcated stem insertable in an aperture of an article of clothing, a head on the front end of said stem for protrusion at one side of the article of clothing, retaining means at the back of said stem for engaging the other side of the article of clothing, a decorative member removably seated upon the stem back of said head and provided with an aperture slidably receiving the stem and smaller than said head, said retaining means including a member pivotally supported between the walls of the bifurcation to move from a position aligned with the stem and permitting sliding receipt and removal of said decorative member to a retaining position at right angle to the stem, and means for holding said last member in each of said positions, said position holding means comprising a pair of suitably positioned opposed socket recesses of square shape with diagonal ribs protruding slightly therefrom and a pair of suitably positioned complementary projections adapted to fit within the recesses.

2. A cuff link according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the periphery of the cross-section of said stem is straight and the shape of said aperture in the decorative member is complementary to the cross-section of the stem, whereby to prevent rotation of the decorative member with respect to the stem.

3. A cuff link, or the like, comprising a bifurcated stem formed of a resilient material insertable in an aperture of an article of clothing, a solid head of larger cross-section than said stern on the front end of said stem for protrusion at one side of the article of clothing, a decorative member having a fiat surface engaging said head and provided with an aperture slidably receiving said stem and smaller than said head to enable removal and replacement of the decorative member, the sidewalls of said bifurcation constituting retaining means for engaging the other side of the article of clothing and being spread to preformed normal positions wherein they extend in opposite directions at substantially right angle to the axis of said stern, said bifurcation walls being bendable toward each other to permit their joint insertion through the aperture of the decorative member and the aperture of a garment and thereafter resiliently returning to their said normal positions, said head and said decorative member being so shaped, inscribed and ornamented as to complement each other and form a unitary pleasing design visible from said one side of the article of clothing and which may be al tered by removal of the decorative member and replacement by another decorative member.

4. A cult link according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the periphery of the cross-section of said stem is straight and the shape of said aperture in the decorative member is complementary to the cross-section of the stern, whereby to prevent rotation of the decorative member with respect to the stem.

5. A cuff link according to claim 3, wherein said decorative member is formed of a plastic material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyolefin, polycarbonate and polyamide.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 138,608 5/1873 Brookmann 2497 451,710 5/1891 Grunzweig. 512,620 1/ 1894 McGill. 1,026,153 5/1912 Degner 2497 1,111,034 9/1914 Robertson 2496 3,080,630 3/ 1963 Paliotta 2497 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,913 1887 Great Britain. 11,369 1897 Great Britain. 454,307 9/ 1936 Great Britain. 1,162,147 4/1958 France.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X,R. 2497 

